Did Beyonce Lip-Synch The National Anthem? UPDATE

By JACKIE WILLIS

January 22, 2013

Beyonce Knowles' breathtaking performance of the national anthem at the presidential inauguration on Monday was reportedly not live.

A spokeswoman for the Marine Corps Band confirmed to London's The Times that "it was standard procedure to record a backing track and Beyonce decided shortly before her performance to rely on the studio version rather than risk singing it live on the Capitol."

UPDATE: The Marine Corps Band has now released a second statement on the matter: "The Presidential Inaugural Committee requested that the Marine Band accompany Beyonce Knowles-Carter in the performance of the Star-Spangled Banner at the 2013 Inaugural Ceremony. However, there was no opportunity for Ms. Knowles-Carter to rehearse with the Marine Band before the Inauguration so it was determined that a live performance by the band was ill-advised for such a high-profile event. Each piece of music scheduled for performance in the Inauguration is pre-recorded for use in case of freezing temperatures, equipment failure, or extenuating circumstances. Regarding Ms. Knowles-Carter's vocal performance, no one in the Marine Band is in a position to assess whether it was live or pre-recorded.

Kelly Clarkson's rep confirmed to ET that the current Grammy nominee did not lip sync her performance of My Country 'Tis of Thee.